A father and daughter are to be sentenced for animal welfare offences after changing their pleas to guilty at the eleventh hour.

Lauren Walker, who owned and ran Mucky Pups Doggy Day Care in Rishton, and her father, John Walker, who was employed by his daughter, were set to stand trial at Blackpool Magistrates Court today.

But before proceedings could begin, the pair, who had both entered not guilty pleas at an earlier hearing, changed their pleas to guilty.

The case relates to videos that were shared on social media that appeared to show a number of dogs at Mucky Pups being hit and smacked.

Warning - distressing footage: Videos show man 'slapping' and 'beating' dogs at Mucky Pups doggy day care centre in Rishton

Following the publication of the videos, an investigation was launched by Hyndburn Borough Council and the RSPCA, with the council suspending Mucky Pups’ animal activity licence in January 2020.

And in February 2020, following further investigation into the alleged incidents, a decision was made to revoke the licence, meaning the owners of Mucky Pups could no longer provide care for dogs or apply for another licence.

Council confirm Mucky Pups in Rishton has had licence revoked

On Wednesday, John Walker, 68, of Greenhill, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals, namely seven dogs, by the inappropriate use of physical force, between September 10 2019 and November 19 2019 and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the animals were met between August 1 2019 and December 18 2019.

Dog owners speak out after video abuse claims at Mucky Pups, Rishton

Lauren Walker, 28, of Knowles Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to prevent unnecessary suffering by her father John Walker, to protected animals, namely seven dogs, between September 10 2019 and November 19 2019, and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of animals she was responsible for were met, in that she failed to protect them from suffering by failing to prevent John Walker's inappropriate use of physical force.

Owner of Mucky Pups Doggy Day Care in Rishton has appeal to reinstate licence rejected

Judge Jane Goodwin directed the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report for both defendants before ordering them to return to court on September 24.

The pair have been granted unconditional bail until that date.

Lancashire Telegraph: